The Bishop Ireton Cardinals have hit a rough spot, winning two of their previous five games and just three since the start of the new year.

After beating St. Mary’s Ryken in overtime January 6, the Cardinals fell to top-ranked DeMatha four days later. Things didn’t get much better against McNamara on Friday. The Cardinals lost on the road, 64-56.

A tough 69-57 win over Don Bosco on Saturday was quickly washed away by an 80-61 defeat at the hands of O’Connell on Monday.

The loss means the Cardinals, 2-5 in conference action, will head to No. 4 Paul VI — the only team to defeat backyard rival Episcopal — on Friday with a 10-7 record. The last time they met, Paul VI left with a 71-58 victory.